Sponge rubber article



June 19, 1934. v p RWTER, JR SPONGE RUBBER ARTICLE Filed Sept. 9, 1932 FIG.

INVENT OR 86 M Patented June 19, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

My new article consists of a combined face cloth and sponge. It is well known that dermatologists recommend heated applications to the face and also icy cold applications to the face. In carrying out these recommendations, towels or similar articles formed of cotton or other fabric are employed and as they lose their heat rapidly they have to be continually replaced. The same is true in regard to cold towels. They have to be reinforced with ice or else become very warm very quickly.

It is also recognized by the specialists in this profession that it is very desirable to have some sort of a suction or vacuum cup applied to the skin to promote circulation and remove extraneous matter which is not desirable. The use of sponge formed of rubber is also recommended for the treatment of the skin.

My invention has for its object to produce a combined face cloth and sponge preferably formed of sponge rubber. This sponge rubber or a similar material possessing the same characteristics, i. e., the surface of the material consisting of an innumerable number of minute suction or vacuum cups. It follows that it makes an ideal fabric for use on the face or skin which is one of the reasons for the widespread use of the rubber sponge.

It has been found that a face cloth constructed of this fabric possesses the quality of retaining heat for a very much greater length of time than any other useable fabric. It also possesses the quality of retaining cold for a much longer period of time than other fabrics.

It has been found in practice that if the face cloth is constructed of this material that it is possible, due to the inherent qualities, to so fold it upon itself as to form a sponge, so that my new article of manufacture possesses all of the desirable qualities of both of these useful articles.

The principal object of my invention is to provide a face cloth formed of fabric the surface of which comprises an innumerable number of minute suctions or vacuum cups, the said fabric possessing the inherent qualities of elasticity and resiliency so that when folded upon itself in the manner hereinafter described it will form a sponge.

My means of accomplishing the foregoing objects may be more readily comprehended by having reference to the accompanying drawing which is hereunto annexed and is a part of this specification in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of my new article of manufacture partially folded upon itself;

Fig. 2 is a perspective View of the same with a second fold.

Fig. 3 is a perspective View of the same with ber sponge.

one of the ends folded preparatory to forming the sponge; and

Fig. 4 shows the article folded to form the sponge.

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the entire description.

As shown in the drawing the face cloth 1 is preferably constructed of fabric made of sponge rubber, the surface of which has an innumerable number of minute suction or vacuum cups 2. These present a roughened surface which is, however, yieldable due to the resiliency fabric.

In order to form the face cloth into a sponge, one edge 3 of the fabric is folded upon itself as clearly seen in Fig. 1, the opposite edge 4 is then folded over the edge 3 as clearly seen in Fig. 2. This forms a cylinder, one end 5 of which is folded over as clearly seen in Fig. 3. The other end 6 is then grasped by the user and the walls of the cylinder are stretched so as to insert the end 6 inside of the end 5 which causes the cylinder to assume the shape clearly shown in Fig. 4 in which the article is a useful and very satisfactory rubt is essential in constructing my new invention that the material not only possess elastic and resilient characteristics but it is also essential for the surface of the fabric to be roughened as it has been found that if the surface is smooth the ends 6 will not be retained in the cylinder but will quickly slip out of the cylinder when in use. whereas when the surface of the fabric is constructed as I have set forth above and the material in addition to the rough surface possesses the inherent qualities of elasticity and resiliency, the article, when folded into the configuration shown in Fig. 4, will retain its shape during its use as a sponge if formed of this kind of material.

This fabric can be placed in the ice box over night and it will absorb sufficient cold so that when used for a cold pack or cold application it will exclude the heat for a very considerable period of time.

It has also been found in practice that when heated for a sufficient period of time to permit it to absorb a quantity of heat it will retain the same for a much longer period of time than any other available fabric for the same purpose.

Having described my invention what I regard as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A combined face cloth and rubber sponge made of a single sheet of sponge rubber the face of which presents a multiplicity of suction cups, said sheet being folded upon itself to produce a tubular structure having one end tucked into the other to produce a bulky member adapted to be held in the palm of the hand! and having a thickness many times that of the sheet from which it is formed.

PHILIP RI'I'IER, J R. 

